Some really cool space stuff, you know, that science thing, is taking place on the Gulf Coast this weekend. NASA announced:
Following a test readiness review on Monday, NASA is now targeting Saturday, Jan. 16, for the final test in the Green Run testing series for the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will launch the agency’s Artemis I mission. NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan.12, to discuss the test, known as the hot fire, which will take place at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
During the test, engineers will power up all the core stage systems, load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic, or supercold, propellant into the tanks and fire all four engines at the same time.
The Green Run test series is a comprehensive assessment of the rocket’s core stage prior to SLS launching Artemis missions to the Moon. The core stage includes the liquid hydrogen tank and liquid oxygen tank, four RS-25 engines, and the computers, electronics, and avionics that serve as the “brains” of the rocket. NASA has completed seven of the eight core stage Green Run tests, including loading and draining propellant for the first time during the most recent test, the wet dress rehearsal, on Dec. 20. During the upcoming hot fire test, all four engines will fire to simulate the stage’s operation during launch.
Just for fun's sake, here is a video of a XRS-2200 Linear Aerospike Engine Test fire at NASA Stennis Space Center.
11 comments:
If anyone knows whether this is open to the public, please post details.
I would love to be the senators / lobbyists son n law that sells cryogenic.
The company I worked for contributed piping to the B1/B2 test stand refit, I spent many days there. If you ever get the opportunity to take a tour of the place go on it, it's surprising something on this scale his hidden out in the woods down there, these test stands are huge. The military has some significant training units there also, the Seals have a training base there, and most of the people that work there are U.S. Navy personnel.
They are hidden out in the woods for a reason. The trees buffer the enormous sound coming from the engines.
If you go to watch please protect your hearing!
Say what?
About 18 years ago the company I represented and a local dealer furnished the HQ for SBU-22 the fast boat training site for the Seals on the Pearl River. Later we did a major install at Navy Atmosphere and Oceanographic HQ for the Navy. But that's just a small part of all the military and private companies that have facilities there.
Stennis is a crown jewel for S. MS that people really can't appreciate. Most just pass the fence on I 10 and never stop to take a tour. By the way, headed east bound on I 10 when you are on top of the Pearl River bridge, you can see the test stand in the distance.
They now have cameras that look into the plume coming out of the engines to detect eddies and currents of under-consumed fuel and other issues. All developed and done at Stennis. Same camera can see into dark caves, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHAxgGROtSo
All of this is thanks to Operation Paperclip.
Yeah let’s enjoy the show, it may be the last for some time. Let us not forget that Obama and Biden cancelled the Space Shuttle so money could go to social programs. We had to pay the Russians millions just to get to the space station. Anyone who thinks Biden is a friend to space exploration are numb on both ends.
I'm sure the trees help, but there is a 125,000 acre area around the facility just as a buffer zone for the noise. PS...they have their own police down there, and they do issue tickets.
The test will be televised on NASA TV at 6:00 CST today. Should be really cool.
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